Rachel Jones

Travel blogger

Rachel Jones is an American who left a career in nursing to live on the beaches in Goa India 3 years ago. Her award winning website gives advice on the 30 countries she's been to and has become the go-to site on India travel. The blog like it’s name is a contradiction, combining off-beat adventurous places with glamorous and girly travel. Hippie in Heels has been featured in ELLE, Thomas Cook, & Grazia UK magazines & was voted by Flipkey on of the top 25 female bloggers to follow this year. She’s a writer for Bravo TV. You can follow her adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

After so much time in India, it seems I am turning Indian. It's the small things I catch myself doing or someone points out to me. But I'm not the only one. The longer they stay in India, the more I see many expat friends changing. Immersing yourself in a strong, unchangeable culture like India means that you'll inevitably change some habits to fit in.

In some publications you'll see India portrayed as perfect, clean, and full of incredibly nice locals there to help you travel. Others like mainstream news say it's a no-go zone and imply you'll basically be raped upon exiting the airport. Neither of these drastic views is the truth!